The 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game is set for March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, featuring Venezuela against the United States.[1][2]
Venezuela advanced from Pool B, which included the U.S., Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Venezuela itself. Top two teams from each of the four pools qualify directly for the semifinals in Miami.[1][3]
This marks Venezuela's deepest run in tournament history. The nation has qualified for every WBC since 2006 but has never reached the final. Only Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017) have won the title.[2][4]
Key Venezuelan players include outfielder Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox and third baseman Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, also of the Diamondbacks, turns 33 in April 2026 and has pitched for Venezuela in prior WBCs.[5][6][7]
For Team USA, standouts include Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper and New York Yankees outfielder and captain Aaron Judge. Both played key roles in recent U.S. international successes.[5][8]
loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, opened in 2012 and has hosted the WBC finals in 2013 and 2023.[1][9]
The winner will claim the title on March 17 at 7 p.m. ET.[1][2]
Sources
- MLB.com
2026 World Baseball Classic Schedule
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/2026/schedule - World Baseball Classic official site
2026 WBC Dates and Locations
Accessed October 2024
https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule - MLB.com
2026 World Baseball Classic Pools and Format
September 17, 2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-pools-format-announced - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic#Results - Baseball-Reference.com
Wilyer Abreu
Accessed October 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreuwi01.shtml - Baseball-Reference.com
Eugenio Suárez
Accessed October 2024
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareeu01.shtml - MLB.com
Eduardo Rodriguez
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566 - MLB.com
Bryce Harper / Aaron Judge
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/bryce-harper-547180 / https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-judge-592450 - MLB.com
loanDepot park
Accessed October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark